Uligan under monitoring after resident tests positive during Covid-19 screening

An individual who arrived in Uligan island of Haa Alif atoll has tested positive during Covid-19 screening.

This was revealed during Sunday afternoon’s press conference by the Covid-19 spokesperson, Mohamed Mabrook Aziz who added that the person will also be tested for the virus.

The person’s test results will be revealed to the public as soon as they come in, he said.

Although some local news outlets had reported that the individual has tested positive to the disease, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is yet to clarify this.

Since the person has exhibited symptoms, the island has been placed under monitoring. The individual is to have arrived in the Maldives capital for a few days and left to Uligan on 15 April.

Further, Vaikaradhoo island in Haa Dhaal atoll and Ihavandhoo island in Haa Alif atoll have also been placed under monitoring after some residents developed symptoms.

On Sunday, the number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 51, which includes 14 Maldivians and 15 Bangladeshi nationals as well as two Indian nationals from the capital city.

While at least three clusters have been confirmed in the capital, those that travelled to the outlying islands from the city since April 15 have been told to self-isolate and inform their respective councils.

A 24-hour lockdown was imposed in the Greater Malé Region, which will remain until April 30. And travel between all islands have been suspended.